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United States Patent | 6,057,980 |
Todd ,   et al. | May 2, 2000 |
An apparatus is provided for moving a tape cartridge with respect to a read/write head in a media system, wherein the tape cartridge includes a tape stored on tape reels. The apparatus includes a housing having a base, and a plurality of flexures extending substantially perpendicularly with respect to the base and having first and second ends. The first ends are attached to the housing. A deck is configured for holding a tape cartridge with the tape exposed at one end of the deck. The deck is attached to the second ends of the flexures. The flexures are sufficiently flexible to allow movement of the deck with respect to the base for moving the tape toward and away from the read/write head. A shuttle interlock mechanism is positioned between the deck and a movable shuttle for selectively locking the shuttle with respect to the deck to prevent damage to the read/write head. A substantially H-shaped flexure connects the deck to a vertically movable motor plate to prevent backlash.
Inventors: | Todd; Christian A. (Thornton, CO); Yeakley; Lester M. (Estes Park, CO); Hoge; David T. (Westminster, CO); Janssen; Clark M. (Loveland, CO) |
Assignee: | Storage Technology Corporation (Louisville, CO) |
Appl. No.: | 103436 |
Filed: | June 24, 1998 |
Current U.S. Class: | 360/96.5 |
Intern'l Class: | G11B 015/00 |
Field of Search: | 360/96.5,95 369/75.1-77.2 |
3823945 | Jul., 1974 | Milligan | 360/96. |
5377052 | Dec., 1994 | Guzman et al. | 360/106. |
5659442 | Aug., 1997 | Ojima | 360/96. |
5726834 | Mar., 1998 | Eckberg et al. | 360/106. |
5870246 | Feb., 1999 | Hoels.ae butted.ter | 360/96. |